Bull St. from Madison Square 1860 - 1880

This stereograph, "Bull St. from Madison Square" by J. N. Wilson, presents two nearly identical photographic images side by side. The sepia tones and meticulous composition evoke a sense of serenity, drawing the eye down a tree-lined avenue. The artist uses the stereoscopic format to create an illusion of depth, pulling the viewer into the scene. The repetition of vertical tree trunks acts as a structural frame, while the receding pathway and buildings establish a clear perspective. The stark contrast between light and shadow emphasizes the photograph's formal qualities. Wilson was working in a time when photography was being used as a scientific tool but also as a form of artistic expression. The use of stereoscopic techniques suggests an attempt to capture a more "objective" and immersive reality. Yet, the careful arrangement of elements within the frame also reveals a desire to impose order onto the natural environment. This interplay between objectivity and artistic intervention raises questions about how we perceive and represent space.